English Department Homework and Absence Policies

In accordance with recent research on habits of the mind, a valued skill for students to acquire is persistence, the ability to begin a task and see it through completion.  This skill is directly applicable to developing the adult capacity for problem solving.  Similarly meeting deadlines in timely fashion is a form of intelligent behavior and shows respect for teacher and peers.  In hopes of fostering and encouraging this habit of the mind, the English department has adopted the following policies regarding late work, late work due to absences, and the legitimate use of email for submitting work:

• Major Assessments:  Hard copies of all assignments are due at the beginning of class.  There will be a 10% deduction per calendar day late, up to a 50% deduction.  Missing work will not be accepted after 2 weeks.
• Homework:  No late homework will be accepted without an excused absence.
• Email Submissions:  Emailed work may be accepted as evidence of completion, but no points will be awarded without submission of a hard copy.
• Excused Absences:  In the event of an excused absence, missing work is due the next class meeting following the absence.  Missing work will receive an ‘M’ in the gradebook until submitted.  If a student is absent from class yet in attendance for part of the school day, it is expected that the work still be submitted that day.
• Planned Absences:  If a student knows that he/she will be absent, work for that day is due before his/her absence.